FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator
HEUSDEN-ZOLDER, BELGIUM: U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Ellen Noble had a blistering fast start in today's World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. As the rain poured down making it nearly impossible to see, Noble furiously sprinted ahead with an Italian rider. The two opened a gap immediately stringing out the 40 others in the first-ever women's U23 World Championships. Noble looked strong, holding onto second place during the first half lap. But on one of the 180-degree, off-camber turns Noble slipped back to ninth. She fought valiantly over the remaining three laps and moved up to finish 6th.
"I'm extremely happy for this hard-fought result on such a demanding and soaking wet course," Noble said.
The downpour made it difficult to see and most riders had to ditch their glasses.
Evie Richards of Great Britain won the women's U23 race, creating history in the inaugural Cyclocross World Championships for women under 23 years old. Previously, women of all ages had to race together in the elite women's field.
Early in the race, Ellen Noble was riding in 2nd place. She eventually finished 6th.
Noble from Kennebunkport, Maine was the top American finisher of the day. Other Team U.S.A. riders in the women's U23 race were Hannah Arensman (27th/Rutherford College, North Carolina) and her sister Allison Arensman (29th), Emma Swartz (32nd/Madison, Wisconsin) and Laurel Rathburn (35th/Monument, Colorado). Katie Antonneau (Racine, Wisconsin) got 8th in the elite women's race, and Gage Hecht (Parker, Colorado) got 12th in the junior men's race.
On Sunday, JAM/NCC/Vittoria's Scott Smith races with the U23 men in his first-ever World Championships. His race starts at 5 a.m. ET.
U.S. Cyclocross National Champion and JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers leads the list of Americans who will compete in the elite men's race including former JAM Fund riders Stephen Hyde, Jeremy Durrin and Anthony Clark, all of Western Massachusetts. The elite men's race is the final event on Sunday and starts at 9 a.m. ET.
Highlights of the Under 23 Women's Race at the 2016 Cyclo-cross World Championships from Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.